Study Abroad Adviser (5141C) #86918

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic, and social value. We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups. Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

Summer Sessions, Study Abroad, Lifelong Learning & University Extension (SSALLEX) is the extended education division of the University of California, Berkeley, and an essential part of the University's mission to extend the research and scholarship of UC Berkeley to a global community.

SSALLEX is a vibrant and dynamic organization that enables more than 60,000 visiting, UC, and potential Cal students; parents, faculty, academic units, international business partners, and central campus service providers participate in providing more than 2,000 summer courses, fall freshman programs, study abroad experiences, global internships, and year-round programs or courses, lectures, special events, and interest circles for older adults.

Position Summary

The Study Abroad Adviser is responsible for advising students on choosing, applying for, preparing for, participating in, and returning from all programs under the scope of Berkeley Study Abroad, including UC's Education Abroad Program, Dual Degree programs, and Berkeley-administered study abroad programs. This position serves as the primary point of contact for students with Berkeley Study Abroad during their academic careers at Berkeley. The Study Abroad Adviser provides academic, health and safety, and cultural advising for specific countries and programs, as well as general advising on the full range of study abroad offerings. Additionally, this position serves on committees or workgroups and manages various projects as determined by Assistant Directors.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is June 29, 2026. For full consideration, please apply by the first review date.

Responsibilities

Advising

• Provides advice and guidance to students on all aspects of their international academic experience, including requirements for the campus department, school, or college that may be fulfilled abroad.
• If applicable to the Adviser's portfolio, advises on all aspects of a Dual Degree student's timeline, including: admission requirements, majors, curriculum integration, course planning, and graduation requirements.
• Liaises with L&S College advisers, departmental advisers, Admissions, the Registrar's office, Transfer Evaluation Unit, New Student Services, and other campus departments about these students.
• Is responsible for matching students to appropriate program choices, including redirecting them in cases of over-enrollment, program closures, or other unusual circumstances.
• Advises on special eligibility requirements for host universities' admission processes.
• Provides advice to Berkeley Study Abroad Program Managers and Administrators, as well as University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) colleagues, on student academic and cultural issues, and recommends ways to improve programs and students' experiences.
• Reads application files for programs in their region, evaluates qualifications for admission, and makes selection decisions, setting conditions for participation.
• Writes case statements and advocates for students who should be allowed to participate even if they do not have the minimum GPA requirements.
• Identifies students with low GPAs or foreign language deficiencies, advises students, recommends appropriate courses of action, and monitors fulfillment of requirements for admission and participation in Berkeley Study Abroad programs.
• Counsels students who have been denied admission or not placed.
• Prepares admissions summaries and recommendations for action to the Administrative and Faculty Directors in cases of appeal.
• Provides detailed information and advice on the cultural context, health and safety, and academic environment of the receiving country and host institution.
• Advises on complex overseas visa requirements and issues of U.S. citizenship and permanent residency as they impact a student's ability to receive travel documents.
• Has substantial knowledge of program options outside their specific region during outreach and/or general advising, and during training of new advisers, other staff, and student staff.
• Evaluates the merits of student petitions and advises students about retroactive actions after return from study abroad; makes recommendations to college advisers and undergraduate Deans in unusual cases.
• Determines barriers, distractions, and complications affecting a student's academic success, helps students recognize these key academic issues, and makes appropriate referrals for additional therapeutic counseling and/or assistance from other units.
• For students with disabilities or special needs, negotiates accommodation for the student between the Disabled Students Program and program providers.

Project Management and Team Leader

• In collaboration with Berkeley Study Abroad and campus colleagues, serves as project manager and team leader across several areas, as determined by the Assistant Directors.
• Areas of responsibility may include:
  • Event Design & Coordination (outreach events and webinars), Golden Bear Orientation, Study Abroad Week, Cal Day, Yield Events, Study Abroad Fair/Week, and workshops.
  • Diversity and Inclusion Workgroups and Partnerships.
  • Workgroup examples include Data Driven Outreach and supporting students with disabilities.
  • Partnerships may include the Student Parent Center, Transfer & Reentry, Undocumented Student Program, Education Opportunities Program (EOP), Multicultural Community Center, Disabled Students Program, and more.
  • Resource development and management for pre-departure programming, resources, requirements, orientation, and re-entry, including event management, retention efforts, materials, and risk/safety.
  • Marketing Liaison to coordinate Berkeley Study Abroad promotion with UCEAP, SSALLEX, and campus-wide efforts.
  • Participation in Peer Advising and Alumni programming, for example, assisting with hiring, training, mentorship, and/or project coordination.
  • Health Clearance Administration, including annual update of requirements for the BSA Health Clearance website, coordination of rosters, and being a liaison to the Tang Center and UCEAP Health/Safety team.
  • Administration of scholarship programs, including the Berkeley Study Abroad scholarship(s), UCEAP and Gilman scholarships, Departmental and Donor Awards, and the Dual Degree Social Media Scholarship.
  • Independent Study Abroad, including updating and maintaining the Independent Study Abroad Guide, managing the course evaluation process and Planned Leave of Absence application process, and advising students who explore studying abroad outside of the University of California system.

Recruitment and Outreach

• Within a team of BSA Advisers, prepares and participates in campus-wide recruitment activities.
• Develops outreach plans for individual programs within their advising portfolio.
• Designs and develops customized information meetings for programs within regional responsibilities and for specific academic disciplines.
• Meets with faculty and administrative staff of partner institutions when they visit Berkeley.
• Plans and participates in occasional overseas site evaluations or visits in their program portfolio to gain first-hand knowledge of academic offerings, housing, student life, and to improve the preparation and orientation of outgoing students.
• Outreach to pre-college students and counselors, including potential travel to student fairs, to recruit for programs in Berkeley Study Abroad and SSALLEX.

Academic Integration

• Coordinates with academic departments and colleges to integrate academic coursework taken abroad into UCB degree programs.
• Manages breadth approval process in cooperation with the College of Letters & Science.
• Advises Assistant Directors on academic matches between prospective and existing programs to departments, schools, and college curricula.
• Identifies barriers to participation within departments, schools, and colleges and recommends solutions.
• Coordinates adviser education workshops, develops relationships with academic advisers, and promotes resources such as the Academic Integration Grant within their network.

Required Qualifications

• Two years' experience (or an equivalent combination of skills/education) in international higher education advising and administration.
• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques, or student services advising.
• Abilities in problem identification, reasoning, ability to develop original ideas to solve problems.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with a highly demanding workload and under pressure of deadline constraints, with an ability to handle many interruptions.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, including public speaking in a variety of settings.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work without direct supervision, and as a part of an independent team of professional staff members.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Ability to handle conflict proactively and with diplomacy to maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, co-workers, students, parents, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to collaborate with team members to identify, establish, and promote best practices for the office.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to coordinate projects, anticipate deadlines, and adjust priorities when dealing with competing and complex tasks.

Education / Training

• Bachelor's degree in a related area and/or equivalent experience/training

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in international education administration, preferably in a study abroad office.
• Thorough knowledge of college/school policies and procedures, both on campus and abroad at host universities.
• Knowledge of and/or ability to learn academic programs, policies, and procedures in most of the academic departments in the College of Letters and Science, and/or the ability to quickly learn UC policies/procedures.
• Experience with and/or knowledge of undergraduate admissions policies and procedures.
• Experience in complex records management in a database.
• Experience using the Google Suite.
• Intermediate proficiency with Google Sheets and/or Excel.
• Experience with Technolutions Slate.
• Demonstrated knowledge of international higher education systems and cross-cultural issues.
• Experience advising for students at the University of California, participation in the UC Education Abroad Program, Berkeley Study Abroad, or other comparable study abroad programs, and/or the ability to quickly learn UC policies/procedures.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $70,000 - $93,000.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) Career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Other Information

• This position is eligible for up to 3 days/week of remote work within the United States. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs and are subject to change.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement between the UAW (United Auto Workers) and the University of California Regents for SV.

Misconduct

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.